NetApp

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A global data infrastructure company focused on enterprise storage, data management, and hybrid cloud operations.

Last updated August 21, 2026

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Overview

NetApp is a United States-based data infrastructure company headquartered in San Jose, California. It develops storage systems, data-management software, cloud services, and related operating capabilities for enterprises, public-sector organizations, and service providers. Its products are designed to help customers store, protect, move, govern, and analyze data across data centers, private clouds, public clouds, and edge environments. The company was founded in 1992 by David Hitz, James Lau, and Michael Malcolm under the name Network Appliance, Inc. Its early identity was closely associated with network-attached storage and the development of technologies that allowed organizations to manage files and data through networked systems rather than stand-alone servers. The company received venture funding from Sequoia Capital in 1994 and completed its initial public offering in 1995. During its early growth, it competed with companies such as Auspex Systems and later expanded into a broader enterprise storage market. NetApp's technology portfolio has historically centered on the ONTAP operating system, the WAFL file system, and storage arrays sold through the FAS and all-flash AFF families. These platforms support file, block, and, in some configurations, object-oriented data services. The company has increasingly emphasized unified storage, cloud-connected infrastructure, application-aware data services, cyber-resilience, and operational consistency across on-premises and public-cloud environments. Cloud Volumes and related cloud services extend NetApp capabilities into hyperscale environments, while CloudOps offerings address the management and optimization of cloud-based workloads. The company adopted the NetApp name in common usage before changing its legal name from Network Appliance to NetApp, Inc. in 2008. It has also pursued partnerships and technology integrations to broaden distribution and reach. A 2018 agreement with Lenovo allowed Lenovo to market systems incorporating NetApp technology, including products based on NetApp's E-Series and ONTAP capabilities. NetApp has also formed alliances with cloud providers, systems integrators, and technology vendors to support hybrid and multicloud deployments. Leadership changed significantly in 2015, when George Kurian replaced Tom Georgens as chief executive officer. Kurian has overseen the company's strategic emphasis on cloud-connected data services and enterprise modernization. César Cernuda serves as president. NetApp remains publicly traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol NTAP and serves customers internationally. Its competitive environment includes major storage, infrastructure, virtualization, and cloud-platform providers, including Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Pure Storage, Lenovo, and hyperscale cloud companies. NetApp has also been involved in notable corporate and legal matters. A patent dispute with Sun Microsystems concerning the ZFS file system was settled after Oracle acquired Sun. In 2011, reports connected NetApp equipment sold through an authorized reseller with Syrian government surveillance activities; the U.S. Department of Commerce later informed the company that its review had found no violation of U.S. export laws and closed the matter. Beyond commercial activity, NetApp has promoted sustainability initiatives, employee environmental groups, corporate philanthropy, and technology partnerships in international motor racing. The company is active and continues to position itself around unified data storage, hybrid cloud management, and secure data operations.

History

NetApp was established in 1992 as Network Appliance, Inc. by David Hitz, James Lau, and Michael Malcolm. The founders focused on simplifying enterprise data storage through networked appliances, at a time when organizations were increasingly looking for alternatives to storage architectures tied directly to individual servers. The company secured venture financing from Sequoia Capital in 1994 and went public in 1995. Its early market was network-attached storage, where it competed with Auspex Systems and other storage vendors. NetApp built differentiation around an integrated software-and-hardware model and technologies that made storage administration more efficient. The development of the WAFL file system and the Data ONTAP operating environment became central to the company's product strategy. Over time, the company expanded from file storage into unified systems supporting multiple protocols and workloads. In 2006, NetApp sold its NetCache product line to Blue Coat Systems. The transaction reflected a sharpening of the company's focus on core storage and data-management products. In 2008, Network Appliance formally changed its legal name to NetApp, Inc., adopting the brand name by which the company had increasingly been known. During the late 2000s and 2010s, NetApp competed against large infrastructure vendors including EMC, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, Seagate, Western Digital, Brocade, and Quantum. The company developed FAS systems for general-purpose enterprise workloads and later expanded its all-flash portfolio through AFF systems. ONTAP evolved from a storage operating system into a broader platform for data services, replication, protection, efficiency, and hybrid-cloud connectivity. NetApp was involved in a major patent dispute with Sun Microsystems beginning in 2007. NetApp alleged that Sun's ZFS file system infringed its patents, while Sun announced counterclaims involving NetApp technology. Several claims were challenged during patent re-examination, and after Oracle acquired Sun, the parties announced an agreement in 2010 to dismiss the litigation. Leadership shifted in 2015 when Tom Georgens left the CEO role and George Kurian became chief executive. Under Kurian, NetApp increased its focus on cloud data services, public-cloud integrations, workload mobility, and unified management across on-premises and cloud environments. In 2018, the company announced the All Flash FAS A800 with ONTAP 9.4, described as its first end-to-end NVMe array. NetApp also expanded its ecosystem through the Lenovo partnership announced that year, enabling Lenovo to sell systems incorporating NetApp technologies. NetApp's later identity has centered on hybrid cloud data infrastructure. Its portfolio includes ONTAP-based arrays, E-Series systems, cloud storage services, and cloud operations tools intended to help customers manage applications and data across multiple locations. The company has also used partnerships in technology, sports, and motorsport to demonstrate data-intensive applications and raise brand visibility. NetApp remains an active Nasdaq-listed company serving international enterprise and institutional customers.

2018
All Flash FAS A800 launches
[1]NetAppen.wikipedia.org
NetApp introduces the All Flash FAS A800 with ONTAP 9.4 and end-to-end NVMe capability.
2015
George Kurian becomes CEO
[1]NetAppen.wikipedia.org
George Kurian succeeds Tom Georgens as chief executive officer.
2008
Corporate name becomes NetApp
[1]NetAppen.wikipedia.org
Network Appliance officially changes its legal name to NetApp, Inc.
2006
NetCache product line is sold
[1]NetAppen.wikipedia.org
NetApp sells the NetCache product line to Blue Coat Systems.
1995
Initial public offering
[1]NetAppen.wikipedia.org
Network Appliance completes its initial public offering.
1994
Sequoia Capital provides venture funding
[1]NetAppen.wikipedia.org
The young storage company receives venture capital backing from Sequoia Capital.
1992
Network Appliance is founded
[1]NetAppen.wikipedia.org
David Hitz, James Lau, and Michael Malcolm establish Network Appliance, the company that later becomes NetApp.

Products and positioning

Hybrid cloud data infrastructure and unified data management provider

Storage operating system and data services platform
ONTAP
ONTAP is NetApp's core storage operating environment. It supports enterprise file and block workloads and provides capabilities such as snapshots, replication, storage efficiency, data protection, multiprotocol access, and integration with cloud services. ONTAP is deployed across NetApp hardware platforms and selected partner systems, giving customers a consistent management and data-services layer across on-premises and hybrid-cloud environments.
All-flash storage systems
AFF
AFF systems are NetApp's all-flash enterprise storage family. They are intended for performance-sensitive applications such as databases, virtual infrastructure, analytics, and modern business applications. AFF platforms use ONTAP services to combine flash performance with snapshots, replication, efficiency, multiprotocol support, and hybrid-cloud connectivity.
Hybrid-flash and general-purpose storage systems
FAS
FAS systems provide general-purpose enterprise storage for organizations balancing capacity, performance, and cost. The family supports ONTAP-based file and block services, data protection, consolidation, and integration with cloud-based management and replication workflows. FAS has been one of the principal hardware platforms associated with NetApp's traditional enterprise storage business.
Block storage systems
E-Series
E-Series systems are designed primarily for high-throughput and block-oriented workloads. They are used in environments such as analytics, video, technical computing, and other applications that require predictable performance and efficient capacity management. Lenovo's ThinkSystem DE products incorporate technology derived from NetApp's E-Series and EF platforms.
Cloud storage services
Cloud Volumes
Cloud Volumes extends NetApp storage and data-management capabilities into public-cloud environments. The services are intended to provide enterprise-grade file or data services for cloud-hosted applications while supporting migration, backup, disaster recovery, development, and hybrid-cloud operating models.
Hybrid-cloud management
BlueXP
BlueXP is a cloud-oriented management and operations experience for NetApp resources and data services. It is intended to give customers a common way to discover, administer, protect, replicate, and optimize data across NetApp environments and connected public clouds.

Controversies

2011
Syria surveillance allegations
During the Syrian uprising, reports identified NetApp equipment among technology allegedly used by the Syrian government for surveillance and repression. The equipment was reportedly supplied through an authorized reseller. In 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce informed NetApp that its review found no violation of U.S. export laws and closed the matter.
Source

2022TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E partnership
International
NetApp entered a relationship with the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, extending its motorsport partnership portfolio.
Outcome. Additional association with data-intensive electric motorsport
Source
2021Aston Martin Formula One partnership
International
NetApp became responsible for data provision and cloud services in its partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One team.
Outcome. Expanded international visibility for NetApp's data infrastructure positioning
Source
2018Ducati Corse partnership
International
NetApp partnered with Ducati Corse in MotoGP, using the relationship to associate its data and cloud capabilities with high-performance racing operations.
Outcome. Ongoing motorsport brand and technology association
Source
2013Corporate philanthropy in Silicon Valley
United States
NetApp was recognized among Silicon Valley's leading corporate philanthropists, reflecting its community and charitable engagement.
Outcome. Recognition as a prominent regional corporate philanthropist
Source

Brand decisions

2018
Launch of the All Flash FAS A800Product launch
Background
Enterprise customers were demanding higher-performance storage for databases, virtualization, analytics, and other demanding workloads.
Action taken
NetApp introduced the All Flash FAS A800 with ONTAP 9.4 and end-to-end NVMe capability.
Aftermath
The launch strengthened NetApp's all-flash and high-performance storage portfolio.
Source
2018
Lenovo technology partnershipOther
Background
NetApp sought broader distribution and additional routes to market for its storage technologies.
Action taken
NetApp and Lenovo announced an arrangement under which Lenovo would offer systems incorporating NetApp technology.
Aftermath
The partnership produced Lenovo ThinkSystem DE and DM offerings based on NetApp storage and ONTAP capabilities.
Source
2008
Adoption of the NetApp corporate nameStrategy
Background
NetApp had become the company's established market identity even though its legal name remained Network Appliance.
Action taken
The company changed its legal name to NetApp, Inc.
Aftermath
The legal identity was aligned with the widely recognized commercial brand.
Source
2006
Exit from the NetCache product lineStrategy
Background
NetApp was concentrating its portfolio around enterprise storage and data-management technologies.
Action taken
The company sold NetCache to Blue Coat Systems.
Aftermath
The transaction narrowed the portfolio toward NetApp's core storage activities.
Source

Recent events

Unconfirmed
Arrow introduces managed storage services for NetApp Keystone[3]Arrow推出适用于NetApp Keystone的托管存储服务pcr-online.biz
Reported: 2026-10-30
Arrow Electronics introduced managed storage services for NetApp Keystone, developed with NetApp, to support Storage-as-a-Service delivery and provide lifecycle management and operational capabilities.
2022-01-05
NetApp launches AFF A900[4]NetApp推出AFF A900chinatimes.com
Reported: 2022-01-05
NetApp announced the launch of the AFF A900 storage array, which uses NetApp ONTAP Enterprise Edition data-management software.
Unconfirmed
NetApp launches Spot Security service[5]NetApp发布Spot Security服务stor-age.zhiding.cn
NetApp announced the launch of Spot Security, a cybersecurity service designed to protect public-cloud environments.
Unconfirmed
NetApp releases ONTAP 9.9 updates[6]NetApp推出ONTAP 9.9系列更新ithome.com.tw
NetApp released ONTAP versions 9.9 and 9.9.1, with updates to data protection, management, security, and performance.
2021-05-12
NetApp updates Unified Partner Program[7]NetApp 更新统一合作伙伴计划arnnet.com.au
Reported: 2021-05-12
NetApp updated its Unified Partner Program, adding specialist partners, new solution and services specialisations, and financial incentives.
2021
Nvidia announces Base Command Platform[8]英伟达宣布推出 Base Command Platformserver.zhiding.cn
Nvidia announced the Base Command Platform, a cloud-hosted service developed with NetApp that gives AI teams access to Nvidia DGX SuperPOD supercomputers through NetApp data management services. The source says the service was primarily available to early customers at the time.
Unconfirmed
NetApp announces new cloud and data services[9]NetApp宣布推出云与数据服务stor-age.zhiding.cn
NetApp said it would release a series of new services to simplify and optimize multicloud management for data software applications. The article identifies Spot Storage, NetApp Cloud Manager and a cloud-based virtual desktop management service among the announced offerings.
2020-10-21
NetApp updates data services and introduces SolidFire Enterprise SDS[10]NetApp 更新数据服务并推出 SolidFire Enterprise SDSpcr-online.biz
Reported: 2020-10-21
NetApp announced enhancements to its ONTAP data management software, updates to its Keystone Flex Subscription service, and a new SolidFire Enterprise SDS solution.
2020-06-04
NetApp acquires Spot[11]NetApp 收购 Spotjpost.com
Reported: 2020-06-04
NetApp acquired Spot in a deal valued at $450 million, according to the article headline.
2020-06-02
Lenovo and NetApp launch Easy AI solution[12]联想凌拓推出易捷AI解决方案tech.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2020-06-02
Lenovo- NetApp announced the launch of the Easy AI solution, supported by its all-flash and hybrid-flash arrays and NVIDIA DGX AI systems. The solution offers a range of products and is intended for use across industries.

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